Tales of a spinner

RILEY WOOD and FIBER ART

Jason Riley

Although I primarily spin supported — just easier most days — I learned on Turkish spindles and tried almost every Turkish-maker, when opportunity presented (still do). Though not my sole spinning tool, it safe to say Turks will always be found amongst my “go-to” spindles.

So, when I stumbled across a photo of Jason Riley’s Turks — irresistible tiny arms made with quarter-sawn oak!!! — I instantly clicked the link to his shop to learn more. A range of weight, length and height for each style and a description of the spindles breaking down, fitting into his wife’s eye-glass case.

I admit, the imagery drew me in.

Could it be more simple? No need for me to take out 2 rulers, to make sure I could use from my wheelchair — a simple illustration made perfect sense to me.

I contacted Mr. Riley.

Replies were fast, respectful and addressed all my questions. And I always ask questions. :)

To me, “customer service” IS important. If communication is sketchy from the outset…for me, it raises concerns should I have a problem after the purchase.

My experience with Riley Wood and Fiber Art — Jason was friendly, knowledgeable, open to discuss possibilities and willing to make a custom adjustment to my spindle (something that made my spindles so much easier for me to use sitting in my wheelchair).

I make note of this information (mainly) for spinners, similar to myself, who require modifications to easily use a fiber arts tool — for me, the ability to spin whilst sitting outdoors in my wheelchair…I am grateful to every maker who helped to make this possible. And to have choices! Turks, Russians, Tibetans and, as of a year ago, drops! With limited spindles I can simply use “off-the-shelf,” and with fewer and fewer makers open to “custom” work on any level, Jason includes a “custom spindle listing” amid his spindles for purchase items in the “Riley Wood and Fiber Art” Etsy shop.
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Riley Wood and Fiber Art

Riley Turkish spindles are made using a variety of domestic and exotic hardwoods in three sizes. Per his shop, approximate sizes:

Beginner’s should start with a middle or large size, as these are easiest to control while learning; small sizes, by mere physics, spin the fastest — without adequate experience, specifically the ability to draft at the same rate as spin, the spindle may turn back on itself and un-do your hard work. The same advice given to me, when I first learned to spin (on a Turk), I pass along to new Turkish spinners — whether a spindling newbie or experienced with other styles of hand-spindles.

Once you have the feel for spinning on a Turk, try a petite! These little guys are fun; useful for short-staples that quickly require a high amount of twist (such as cotton or yak); and ideal for spinning lace-weight yarns, especially silk and silk blends.
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The Turkish Spindle

The challenge of making a quality Turk — 3 pieces that fit together perfectly — is no small feat. The arms, wings or cross-members (terms for the Turkish “whorl”) need to intersect precisely. So exact, they slide down the shaft easily, stopping at just the right place:

the arms don’t sit too high or low on the shaft

the wings are perpendicular, creating four 90° corners around the shaft

the whorl does not wobble about, come loose, or make noises when spun

In addition, disassembling the spindle is also important:

the cross-members slide off the shaft, with little effort

the arms do not “stick,” allowing easy removal of the first cross-member

the second arm, when taken out, leaves ball in-tact

(you might want/need to insert a piece of yarn, different color from the cop, to maintain the integrity of the center-pull ball — esp. if you do not plan to use straight away and worry about losing the ends)

In my experience, Jason Riley Turks spin smooth — no clicks, clanks; pieces fit together and come apart easily; and able to achieve a center-pull ball.

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Additional Anatomy of A Turkish Spindle

Turks have a type of finial at the top of the shaft; I always look for the absence of OR a small groove below the finial — this holds your half-hitch in place while the shaft rotates.

If the groove is too deep or wide, thin singles often “stick” in the space. Since I prefer to use my Turks for lace-weight singles/yarns, the groove is particularly important to me. My Riley spindle contains a thin groove…allowing a smooth transaction between spinning, removing the single/half-hitch, winding on the wings and re-attaching my half-hitch.

Also note: shafts of some Turks come to a point at the bottom; depending on the wood and shape, certain Turks can be used in a semi-supported fashion. I recommend talking to the maker about the way(s) you intend to use your spindle, specifically if you plan to use semi-supported/supported. (I know of one maker, off-hand, with design comes to a point; yet due to the shape, type of wood(s) and/or weight distribution, the shaft is not meant to handle semi-support spinning.)

In my experience, regarding semi-support spinning on a Turk…certain makers recommend specific shaft wood(s) or “reinforce” the point, while others makers already considered various spinning techniques when perfecting his/her design.

My advice: always ask.
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Cops

Turkish spindles are also unique in the way you wind singles onto the spindle or build a cop.

Turtles are quite common — achieved by carefully laying singles next to each other, building outward by winding over two and under one arm/wing…once you’ve gone as far as you can/want….start a new row, close to the shaft (continue the process of building out, singles aligned, and starting a new row until you’ve spun/plied your fiber).

Turtles create beautiful cops!

However, this degree of precision (for some, patience!) is not necessary to obtain a center-pull ball.

Another common method simply involves wrapping singles over 2 arms, rotating the spindle, wrapping around next two arms and so forth.

When finished spinning, a properly wound Turkish cop, regardless of method, is ready to ply or spin.

[FYI: I plan to post an article devoted to Turkish spinning in the future, discussing the various methods of winding on — guest writers or any reader wishing to collaborate with photos/videos are always welcome!]

Keep in mind, you may wind the most beautiful turtle, your cop may look brilliant…but without a quality tool, difficulties arise when attempting to remove and/or use the center-pull as intended.

A well-made Turk, such as Jason Riley’s, the arms easily slide off the shaft (ball/cop intact); then, one arm/wing is removed from the other — just as easily as you assembled; finally, you remove the last arm and left with a center-pull ball.

If planning to set aside, I recommend taking a piece of yarn (a different color than your singles or finished yarn) and tying the ball in such a way you can easily locate the beginning and ending pieces of the ball.

Alternatively, use straight away: knit/crochet, pulling yarn from the center and/or outer part of the ball; ply, using a piece from the inside and outside of the ball — plying in this manner…no worries about odd leftover strands or lengths of singles!
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Remember…

If you need more information or would like to discuss size/weight possibilities use Etsy’s “convo” button to easily contact Jason — as stated above, this shop offers great customer service.
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SpindleTalk with Jason Riley

Q. How/when did you start working with wood?

Well, if you count staining and painting, since I was very young, 10 maybe… I always enjoyed spending time out in the shop with my dad.

Q. You make Turkish spindles — what do you find most appealing about this style of spindle? (using and/or making)

I’m not a spinner. There, it’s out there! (Ha ha.) I’m a wood guy. Woodworking is my passion. What I love most about making Turkish Spindles, would have to be the perfection needed and precision involved. I Love detail. If it ain’t right. It ain’t right. I’m such a perfectionist I just can’t send one out that’s bad. But, I mean come on…A center-pull ball! Really, I love every aspect involved in their creation from putting the pattern on the wood to applying finish.

Q. Do you plan on expanding to other styles of spindles? Or fiber arts tools?

As far as other Spindles yes, I do. I want one between my petite and my medium size, approx 3 1/4″. A Spindle holder. Sock blockers and shuttles w/made to order scrolled out pictures and designs left up to the customers imagination.

Q. Turkish spindles require precision in multiple wood techniques (including a lathe, jig, drill) to make 3 pieces that fit together perfectly. The more I learn about spindle-making, the more I appreciate the craft that goes into creating fiber art tools. Given all the challenges to create quality spindles, is there anything you think valuable for Turkish spinners to know?

Love, enjoy, and appreciate the work put into creating the spindle you have as it were a really nice skein you’ve created on said spindle. Personally, it’s a labor of love! I get from it what I put in. And I get so much.

Q. How should owners care for your spindles? Do you recommend storing them in a specific way when not in use (i.e., separated or assembled, open or in a box, etc.)?

Howard’s Feed-n-wax is great. As for storing, apart is preferred. I’d like to think owners of my spindles always display them!

Q. If you had to choose one (or two) wood(s), what would be your favorite to work with and why?

Hmmm, favorite wood… I prefer a challenge, so something dense and hard to tool. Which has its downside. I can be easily frustrated with the same reaction. But, when you’ve got it right, it’s truly art in its purest. Lately, I’ve really been liking Wenge, Sapele, and Cocobolo. Of course, I did just get some really awesome Canary.

Q. If you were teaching a class how to make spindles, what advice would you give to a new wood-turning or wood-working student?

Pay attention and ask lots of questions. Knowing the vernacular doesn’t make you an expert…

Q. Choosing the right spindle can be overwhelming, esp. for new spinners; from the standpoint of a wood-crafter that makes spindles, what type of information do you think would be most useful for spinners to consider (in general or in relation to your spindles)?

Bigger is better when learning. (Or so I’ve been told).

Q. Finally, is there anything you’d like to add?

I’m truly blessed to be doing what I love and for people who love “their” craft. I seriously love and enjoy working w/wood and I hope it shows within my products.

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The care and time Jason Riley dedicates toward making quality tools does show — my conversations and interactions with Jason revealed him humble and talented, kind and generous and passionate for wood-working in a way that challenges himself and brings joy to others.

Functional Art, for sure.

To fellow (life-long) artists/artisans, a true inspiration.

Thank You! to Jason for taking time from his busy schedule to indulge my interview questions.

*** I try to accurately describe spindles and/or other fiber arts tools to the best of my knowledge and/or experience using a spindle or tool. We aim to keep a positive tenor, in hopes that you will gain information to find the best fiber arts tool(s) for you. I do not advertise or plug any spindle or spindle-maker over another.

Any such inquiries sent to me will be forwarded to the appropriate person(s). ***
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